NAN-HE-19

Banks

Emmanuel Antswen

Makurdi, May 25, 2017 (NAN) The Benue Government on Thursday sealed off four commercial banks for alleged failure to remit N1.4 billion Personal Income Tax/Assets to the Board of Internal Revenue Services (BIRS).

The Board Executive Chairman, Mrs Mimi Orubibi, told newsmen that the banks were Zenith Bank Plc, N213 million; Fidelity Bank, N113 million; Unity Bank, N105 million and Skye Bank, one billion naira.

Orubibi said that the enforcement was in compliance with the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (amended) and the Benue State Internal Revenue Administration Law 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all the sealed banks branches in the state were served closure orders.

She explained that the affected banks failed to comply with tax laws, court orders and failed to supply the board with all the necessary documents for auditing.

She said that the banks were all given “best of judgment” after failing to remit the monies at the expiration of seven days demand notices served on them on April 10.

The tax boss further disclosed that other banks in the state had complied with the board and reconciliation was ongoing.

At the Unity Bank Plc, an official of the bank, who pleaded anonymity, accused the board of multiple taxation, adding that the bank was not officially communicated of the court order.

At Zenith Bank Plc., officials of the board were stopped by the bank officials for over two hours.

The officials ordered the security guards to lock all entrances into the bank to register their protest.

Fidelity Bank Plc., one of the bankers to the board, was also sealed for non-remittance of N113 million PAYE/liabilities.

Skye Bank, which was in tax default of one billion naira, also had its branches in the state sealed.

NAN reports that at all the banks, customers expressed disappointment with the banks for failing to remit their taxes. (NAN)

AEB/OFN/IA

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Idris Abdulrahman)